Brian Cummings MBE is a sprightly 81-year-old, a keen photographer and a tour
guide for the Royal Hospital who attributes his youthfulness to “58
years of a wonderful life and a wonderful wife” whom he met at 15 and
married at 18. “Four days after our honeymoon, I left for Egypt,” he
says, “and didn’t return until I was 21. After that, she accompanied me
on all my postings.”

The line of medals on his chest reflects his
33 years in the Royal Corps of Signals serving, inter alia, in Egypt
during King Farouk’s deposition, Jordan after King Abdullah’s
assassination and Cyprus during the EOKA troubles, as well as in
Singapore and Germany. He was made an MBE for his welfare work at the
Ministry of Defence, where he spent 14 years after retiring from the
army.

Following the death of his wife in 2009, Cummings decided to join the
Royal Hospital. Upon qualifying (applicants must be over 65, have no
financial dependants, be of good character and have served as a regular
soldier) he was invited for the customary four-day trial period. “The
moment I arrived, I knew this place was for me,” he says. He sold the
family home in Plymouth, packed his remaining belongings into two
suitcases and two cardboard boxes, and embarked on his “new life”.

Brian is an excellent and entertaining speaker and has agreed to spend the evening in our company, followed by a vist to the DCLI museum the following morning.

This will be an open evening for members, friends/partners and an invitation to other Rotary clubs. Contact Dave Jenkins via. contact form below if you are interested in coming - seats may be limited - first come first served !